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The start of a new year is a good time for fresh perspective. It's a time to think carefully about what we want out of life, and how that might look in the year to come. As a family, we've been been doing some thinking of our own, ahead of 2017. And we've come to the difficult conclusion that, in it's current form at least, we are going to close The Stitchery.

It's difficult to describe how much this place has meant to us. Not only as a means of income, but as something to pour our heart and soul into. And that's what we've done for the past 5 years.

Our reward for this effort has been to see the impact of The Stitchery on many people's lives. For some it's a place of rest and their only break from the everyday busyness of life. For many, it's been the birthplace of new found confidence; the discovery of new skills; and a new understanding of what it means to BE YOURSELF.

But despite these wonderful rewards, and The Stitchery's dear place in our hearts, it has never fully developed into a financially sustainable business. And there have often been times when we as a family have been unable to pay ourselves, despite much effort. We had intended to use this Christmas break to figure out why this is, and to try and turn it around in 2017. But in thinking this over, and discussing it honestly, it became clear to use that what we actually needed is a slower pace of life.

The studio will close its doors on March 22nd 2017, allowing for all the currently advertised classes to go ahead. The Stitchery will then move back to our home studio, where Cassandra will be offering private tuition. She will also be turning some of her attention to Storybook Patterns. Any vouchers not redeemed by this date will be honoured, and can be exchanged for private tuition.

For us the reality of this news comes with a mixture of sadness and excitement. Sadness at saying goodbye to something special, and excitement at what this change will bring for our family. We cannot say for certain that The Stitchery will ever re-open as a studio offering courses and workshops. Buy what we can say is that we will continue to speak out of self-made, sustainable, self-expressive clothing, and to spread the gospel of home sewing.